The Jackson 5 do some preliminary work in a Detroit studio with Bobby Taylor
January 1 + 2 : The Jackson 5 perform at the Apollo Theater in New York City (Sam & Dave headlining).
March 7 + 8 + 9 : The Jackson 5 perform at the High Chaparral Lounge in Chicago.
March 11 : The Jackson 5 officially sign with Motown Records. A dispute between Steeltown and Motown delayed its effect.
April 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 29 + 30 + May 1 : The Jackson 5 perform at the Met Theater in Chicago (Delfonics headlining).
May 4 : The Jackson 5 perform at the Guys and Gals Club in Chicago.
May 9 + 10 + 11 : The Jackson 5 perform at the High Chaparral Lounge in Chicago.
June 20 + 21 + 22 + 23 + 24 + 25 + 26 : The Jackson 5 perform at the Apollo Theater in New York City sharing a bill with Joe Simon and The Five Stairsteps.
July : Motown headquarters move from Detroit to California and so do the J5! Joe, Tito, Jack Richardson, drummer Johnny Jackson & keyboards players Ronny Rancifer drive to Los Angeles while Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon & Michael fly out a few days later. The group is accommodated at the Motel Tropicana on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Katherine remains in Gary with LaToya, Randy and Janet.
July 11 + 12 : The Jackson 5 perform at the Guys and Gals Club in Chicago (shows at 11:30 pm and 2:00 am).
August : The group starts recording its first album with help from Motown producers Freddie Perren, Deke Richards & Fonce Mizell known as “The Corporation”. Suzanne De Passe, a young Motown executive becomes the group’s PR.
August 11: Diana Ross invites the media to meet the Jackson 5 at a private showcase at Daisy’s Disco 326 Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Michael meets Bob Jones, a Motown PR who will prove significant in his solo career.
August 16 : The Jackson 5 perform at The Forum Los Angeles, CA as opening act for Diana Ross and the Supremes.
August 22 : In their first nationally TV appearance, The Jackson 5 perform “It’s Your Thing” at the Miss Black America Pageant in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
August 30 : The Jackson 5 perform Gilroy Stadium in Gary as part of Gary’s festival.
October 7: “I want You Back”, the Jackson 5’s debut single is released by Motown and soon reaches the number 1 spot on Billboard hot 100 charts.
Michael moves to Diana Ross’s home and the two of them spend a great deal of time together.
October 18: Diana Ross & The Supremes introduce the Jackson 5 on ABC’s Hollywwod Palace Special where they perform “Sing A Simple Song”, “Can You Remember”, “I Want You Back” and “There Was A Time” (with Diana Ross & Sammy Davis Jr)
Katherine, LaToya, Randy & Janet watch it live from their home in Gary.
November : Katherine, LaToya, Janet & Randy join Joe and the Jackson 5 in California and the whole family moves into a house rented by Motown on 1601 Queen Roads in Los Angeles.
The family celebrates their new life by driving up to San Francisco for the weekend.
December 12: Motown releases the Jackson 5 first album titled “Diana Ross presents the Jackson 5” (N°1)
December 14: In New York City, The Jackson 5 appear on The Ed Sullivan Show where they perform Stand, “Who’s Loving You” and “I Want You Back”. Diana Ross is in the audience and she takes credit for discovering them.
Later, the group performs “I Want You Back” on the Joey Bishop Show.
Jackson Dynasty 